Stars who turned down, or were turned down for, ultimately famous roles

CaptionAngelina Jolie

Ethan Miller / Getty Images; Warner Bros.

The movie: "Gravity" The role: Dr. Ryan Stone, the beginner astronaut suddenly stuck in space when her space shuttle is damaged, and her thirst for life deepened. The final pick: Sandra Bullock. Jolie was set to star alongside Robert Downey Jr. But Jolie's management team wasn't able to come to...

The movie: "Gravity" The role: Dr. Ryan Stone, the beginner astronaut suddenly stuck in space when her space shuttle is damaged, and her thirst for life deepened. The final pick: Sandra Bullock. Jolie was set to star alongside Robert Downey Jr. But Jolie's management team wasn't able to come to... (Ethan Miller / Getty Images; Warner Bros.)

The movie: "The Matrix" series The role: Neo, a superhuman with the power to perform every single martial art and fighting style. The final pick: Keanu Reeves. Smith passed on the role because he couldn't envision the concept of "The Matrix." Looking back, Smith said he wouldn't have been...

The movie: "The Matrix" series The role: Neo, a superhuman with the power to perform every single martial art and fighting style. The final pick: Keanu Reeves. Smith passed on the role because he couldn't envision the concept of "The Matrix." Looking back, Smith said he wouldn't have been... (Melinda Sue Gordon / Warner Bros.; Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images for MTV)

The movie: "Twilight" franchise The role: Bella Swan, a teenager turned vampire with the skill to shield herself and others from mental harm. All the while, she's madly in love with mind-reading vampire Edward Cullen. The final pick: Kristen Stewart. Lawrence later landed the role of Katniss...

The movie: "Twilight" franchise The role: Bella Swan, a teenager turned vampire with the skill to shield herself and others from mental harm. All the while, she's madly in love with mind-reading vampire Edward Cullen. The final pick: Kristen Stewart. Lawrence later landed the role of Katniss... (Samir Hussein / Getty Images; Kimberley French)

The movie: "Michael Clayton" The role: Michael Clayton, an attorney with a conscience, who breaks down the corruption surrounding a chemical scandal. The final pick: George Clooney. To this day, Washington regrets turning down the role. "With 'Clayton,' it was the best material I had read in a...

The movie: "Michael Clayton" The role: Michael Clayton, an attorney with a conscience, who breaks down the corruption surrounding a chemical scandal. The final pick: George Clooney. To this day, Washington regrets turning down the role. "With 'Clayton,' it was the best material I had read in a... (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press; Myles Aronowitz)

The movie: "Forrest Gump" The role: Forrest Gump, a not-so intelligent former military man set to tell the story of his life. The final pick: Tom Hanks. Travolta simply turned down the role and later admitted his decision was a mistake. For Hanks, the role earned him an Oscar for best actor in...

The movie: "Forrest Gump" The role: Forrest Gump, a not-so intelligent former military man set to tell the story of his life. The final pick: Tom Hanks. Travolta simply turned down the role and later admitted his decision was a mistake. For Hanks, the role earned him an Oscar for best actor in... (Francois Durand / Getty Images)